Chelsea kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, but the match drew more attention for its sparse attendance than for the result. Only 22,137 fans showed up in the 71,000-seater venue, highlighting concerns just a year ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Pedro Neto opened the scoring in the 34th minute, expertly finishing a sharp move down the right set up by Nicolas Jackson’s clever reverse pass. Jackson’s combination of pace and power caused LAFC repeated problems throughout the first half, even though his finishing left room for improvement.
The second goal came late, in the 79th minute, when new signing Liam Delap delivered a superb chipped cross to Enzo Fernández, who tapped in from close range. It was an impressive 30-minute debut for Delap, who joined Chelsea from Ipswich Town earlier in June for £30 million.
Delap’s Impact on Debut
The England U-21 forward replaced Nicolas Jackson midway through the second half and quickly brought energy to Chelsea’s attack. Driving forward with power and confidence, Delap nearly set up Fernández with his first involvement before eventually assisting the midfielder’s goal.
“He was in bustling form after being thrown on midway through the second half,” noted Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca. “Hopefully both strikers can score goals and assist.”
Delap’s willingness to take on defenders and ability to create chances in tight spaces will give Chelsea more attacking options going forward. He has also taken the club’s iconic No. 9 shirt, signaling the expectations placed on him.
Sparse Crowd Raises Questions
Despite being hosted in one of MLS’s most well-supported cities, the low turnout was striking. The stadium, which usually sees Atlanta United average over 44,000 fans, appeared nearly empty, with upper tiers closed off.
“There are concerns about the attendance at the match in Atlanta, just one year before the 2026 World Cup,” reported BBC Sport.
Several factors contributed to the poor crowd. The 3pm local kickoff on a weekday, high ticket prices, and limited marketing were all cited. Competing events, including a Power Rangers convention and a UFC card, also drew away potential attendees.
Even Chelsea’s previous match at the same venue, a friendly against Newcastle United in 2023, attracted over 70,000 fans, further highlighting the disappointing turnout.
LAFC Fall Short Despite Familiar Names
LAFC, who qualified after Club León were removed due to a breach of FIFA regulations, featured World Cup winners Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris. However, they struggled to convert chances into goals. Denis Bouanga and David Martínez both came close, but goalkeeper Robert Sánchez preserved Chelsea’s clean sheet.
Chelsea now look ahead to their next group stage fixture against Flamengo in Philadelphia, while LAFC will try to bounce back when they face ES Tunis in Nashville.